japanese architect tadao ando has announced the ‘kasumigaoka national stadium international design competition’ a worldwide contest to renovate the japanese arena run by the japan sport council (JSC), of which ando is the committee chairman.

the olympic amphitheatre, originally built over a century ago, accommodated the tokyo ’64 games and is widely considered the birth of modern japanese architecture. it is now set to be a candidate to host the 2020 olympic and paralympic games and will be the venue for the 2019 rugby world cup. the new design will also be offered as a venue for the FIFA world cup, the IAAF world championships athletics, concerts and a wide range of other cultural and artistic events.

the competition is designed to engage people on an international scale. participating architects would need to fulfill the qualification requirements outlined by the organization in order to enter. the project completion is scheduled to be in 2018, the JSC will be looking for submissions that are able to preserve the historical features of the site, as well as seamlessly introduce and implement cutting edge technology. president of JSC, ichiro kono describes the council’s intentions for the revamp:

‘as an all-new stadium, we want to create it in an all-new way, with full public participation, and we pledge to make the entire process – from design to completion – fully open and transparent. what japan needs now is the power of dreams.‘

the winning proposal will receive 20 million yen (approximately US5K) and will be judged by the ‘kasumigaoka national stadium international design contest’ panel which will include the current design adviser for tokyo’s bid to become the site for the 2020 games takao ando; japan football association honorary chairman junji ogura; japanese society for rights of authors, composers and publishers chairman shunichi tokura; and tokyo 2020 executive board member and former tokyo 2016 bid leader dr. ichiro kono.

the international panelists are architects richard rogers and lord norman foster. date for registration: 20th july 2012 through 10th september 2012, 5:00pm date for submission: 10th september 2012 through 25th september 2012 5:00pm

I have for many years been a great admirer of Japan.
As recently as a week ago I spent a week in Tokyo and Kyoto, marvelling at the country, its people, its architecture and its culture.

It is with great regret that I feel it necessary to express my disappointment and dismay at your very out-dated and conservative approach to eligibility for this competition.
I know I speak on behalf of many architects around the world.

You say you want a brave new stadium design to be shared by ALL?
Yet you deny so many emerging architects the right to enter!

How old was Kenzo Tange when he designed the Tokyo Stadium?
What were his credentials at the time?
Could he have qualified for this competition?
WEqually
hat international awards had Jorn Utzon won when he won the Sydney Opera House?

These architects were selected by brave emerging societies for their creativity and commitment and the simple undisputed quality of their work.

Japan will show the world it is equally brave – and confident in the skills of its own young architects – if it re-thinks its views on eligibility.

Otherwise the world will see the same conservative Japan sadly adopting the rhetoric of change to simply ensure the continuation of the status – quo.

Again I apologise for speaking so directly but the issue is far too important to remain silent.

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